Detectives from the Montgomery County Police – Major Crimes Division have charged a 28-year-old woman with murder in the deaths of two of her children. On Friday, January 17, Montgomery County Police officers responded to the 19000 block of Cherry Bend Drive in Germantown where they discovered four children that had been assaulted. Two of the children were pronounced deceased on the scene and the other two were transported to a hospital for treatment of their injuries. In addition, a 21-year-old woman was transported to a hospital for medical treatment. The children’s mother was on the scene but was uninjured.

Detectives have now charged the children’s mother with two counts of First Degree Murder and two counts of Attempted First Degree Murder. She is identified as Zakieya Latrice Avery, age 28, of the 19000 block of Cherry Bend Drive in Germantown. She was taken to police headquarters from the scene where she was interviewed and subsequently charged. She is currently being held without bond.

The deceased children are identified as Norell N. Harris, a 1-year-old male, and Zyana Z. Harris, a 2-year-old female. The other two children are still hospitalized. They are identified as Taniya Harris, a 5-year-old female and Martello Harris, a 8-year-old male.

“Cases like this are heartbreaking” said Montgomery County Police Chief Tom Manger. “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims along with the 911 operators, police officers, evidence technicians, and fire and EMS personnel that responded.”

No other charges have been placed. The investigation is continuing and detectives ask that anyone with information call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070.